It’s Easier Than You Think
Grocery stores make it seem like everything needs to come pre-packaged, sealed, and ready to use, but that’s not always the case. Many everyday foods are far simpler to make than their labels suggest, and most don’t need special tools or advanced skills. Once you realize how approachable these basics are, cooking at home feels less like a chore and more like a small win you can enjoy every day.
1. Salad Dressing
Most salad dressings rely on the same basic formula of oil, acid, and seasoning, which makes them easy to recreate. You can combine olive oil, vinegar, or lemon juice, and a few pantry staples to match your favorite flavors. When you make your own, you also get to skip preservatives and adjust the taste exactly how you like it.
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2. Granola
Granola is one of those foods that looks complicated, but really just takes some mixing and baking. Rolled oats, nuts, oil, and a sweetener come together quickly in one bowl. Baking it yourself lets you control the crunch level and avoid sugary versions.
3. Hummus
Homemade hummus starts with canned or cooked chickpeas, which makes it very approachable. Blending them with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil creates a smooth and flavorful spread. You can tweak the texture or seasoning until it feels right for you.
4. Bread Crumbs
Breadcrumbs are often made from bread that’s past its prime anyway. Drying out leftover slices and pulsing them in a food processor gives you fresh crumbs in minutes. You can keep them plain or add herbs and spices for extra flavor.
5. Pasta Sauce
Making pasta sauce from scratch doesn’t need hours of simmering unless you want it to. A simple sauce with tomatoes, garlic, onion, and herbs comes together with minimal effort. The flavor tastes brighter and less processed than most jarred options.
6. Pancake Mix
Homemade pancake mix is a simple blend of dry ingredients you likely already have. Mixing flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt ahead of time saves you effort later. When you’re ready to cook, you just add the wet ingredients and go.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt making is about patience rather than technique. Combine milk and a spoonful of plain, unflavored yogurt with live cultures slowly transform on their own. After a few hours, you’ll have made your very own batch of creamy goodness. The best part is you don't have to spend a large amount of money on store-bought yogurt to get this started.
8. Pickled Things
Pickling vegetables at home is easier than it sounds and doesn’t need special equipment. A simple brine made from vinegar, water, salt, and spices does most of the work. After a few days, you’ll have seasoned veggies ready for snacking.
9. Pizza Dough
One of the more fun dinners that doesn’t need you to break the bank, as you probably have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your home already. Combine water, sugar, yeast, flour, salt, and olive oil and get spinning.
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10. Mayonnaise
Homemade mayonnaise is all about emulsifying a few basic ingredients. Combine eggs, lemon juice or vinegar, Dijon mustard, and oil. Blend in an immersion blender, and you have something that tastes way better than the store-bought stuff.
11. Spice Blends
Spice blends are a simple combination of seasonings you already own. Mixing your own taco, barbecue, or Italian seasoning takes only a few minutes. You’ll get a fresher flavor without pulling out half of your spice cabinet.
12. Applesauce
Applesauce is a great way to use apples that are slightly past their peak. Cooking them down with a bit of water and spice creates a naturally sweet result. You can leave it chunky or smooth it out, depending on your mood.
13. Stock
Meat dishes are useful in more ways than one. Homemade stock turns scraps into something incredibly useful. Bones, vegetable trimmings, and herbs simmer to build deep flavor. If you’re not ready to make stock the same night as your main dish, you can always save the trimmings for later.
14. Nut Butter
Nut butter requires little more than roasted nuts and time…and a blender. Break down the nuts of your choosing, and add a little sea salt for flavor. You can sweeten it if you so choose, and can do so by adding honey or maple syrup, or even flavors like vanilla or cinnamon.
15. Tortillas
Fresh tortillas rely on a short ingredient list and simple technique. Flour, fat, water, and salt form a dough that cooks quickly in a skillet. The texture and flavor are noticeably better when made fresh.
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16. Jam
Jam is one of the easiest things to make and store. All it really takes is cooking down fruit and sugar together before storing them in mason jars. If you’re hoping to make preserves, you can always learn how to properly seal mason jars for long-term storage. Just think, you’ll have fresh jam throughout the winter.
17. Croutons
Croutons are a smart way to use leftover bread before it goes to waste. Simply toss them with oil and seasonings, and bake until they crisp up. Your salads won’t ever taste the same again.
18. Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream doesn’t require fancy equipment to taste great. Cream, sugar, and flavorings freeze into a rich dessert with simple methods. The freshness really comes through in every bite.
19. Energy Bars
Energy bars are easier to make than you might expect, and you can add whatever suits your fancy. The base for most energy bars is rolled oats or nuts. From there, you can add whatever protein, fruit, or flavor that works best for you. Get creative with your health!
20. Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is one of the fastest upgrades you can make at home. Heavy cream and a little sugar whip into soft peaks in minutes. Once you try it fresh, the canned kind loses its appeal fast.
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